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There are many different types of suspended ceiling anchors available and it may not be immediately apparent which type to use where, so we have put together a few different types and will explain which type to use depending on the soffit you are fixing to.

Timber Soffit

You would need to use metal angle brackets fixed to the timber with 25mm drywall/wood screws. You then need to thread the ceiling wire through the hole in the bracket and tie it off.

Metal Beams

You can also use angle brackets fixed to the beams using self drilling tek screws, but a much easier option if there is space above the beam is to just pass the ceiling wire over and tie it off below.

Concrete Soffit

The preferred way to fix to concrete is by drilling a 6mm diameter hole and using a “wire hanger”. These fixings push in to the pre drilled hole and when you try to pull them out it wedges itself in. The wire hanger itself has a hole in the end so you can thread the ceiling wire though and tie it off.

Another way to fix to concrete is by using angle brackets but this time fixing them using metal nail-ins or knock-ins as they tend to be called.

Metal Purlins

There are many different types and sizes of purlins and depending on which type your hanging off will depend on which type of purlin clip you require. The most common type of purlin clip suspended ceiling installers use is the Caddy H clip that you hammer on or the Caddy AF clip. As per all the other types of fixings it has a hole through which you can thread and tie off your ceiling wire.

Profiled Metal Roofing

Most types of profiled metal roof you can fix directly in to and so you would use tek screws and angle brackets as per the metal beams above. If on the odd occasion you are unable to fix in to the profiled metal sheeting then you’ll require wedge nuts. These are combined with an angle bracket to make a secure fixing point.

What not to use

Never under any circumstances use standard plastic plugs and screws in a concrete soffit. These are only strong when used in walls. In a ceiling over time they will work themselves loose, but even more importantly, if there was a fire, the plastic would melt and the ceiling would fall down as your trying to escape.

If your still unsure which is the best fixing to use then contact a specialist ceiling contractor.